CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a girls’ school in Stourbridge have gone back to the drawing board due to concerns over funding – but they have not been shelved completely.

Historic boarding school Old Swinford Hospital hoped to use Government funding to build a state day and boarding school for girls – a first in the country – in the town.

However, the scheme came under fire from environmental campaigners because the proposed location was green belt land on Norton Road.

Several vocal public meetings were held at Old Swinford during the consultation period but the school has now confirmed the project is being put on hold.

OSH head teacher Paul Kilbride told the News: “Current funding levels are not good and the recent budget isn't bringing significantly more funding into the system.

“We’re not the only interested group to step back. The main cause of our stepping back is funding. That's the national concern at this time of course.

“We're still keen to pursue the idea in the future but we want to see what the Comprehensive Spending Review is saying first and that's next spring.

“It's clear from our consultation that there's a good deal of demand for an OSH style of education for girls at an 11-16 school so we'll continue to lobby the government in order to keep schools funding at the top of the agenda.”

The school’s decision to defer their plans was welcomed by campaign group Save Stourbridge Green Belt – but they remain concerned about development plans in the town.

Spokeswoman Christine Farmer said: “We are aware that OSH have decided not to proceed with the proposals for a free school on land off Norton Road, Stourbridge.

“However, this same site, and the wider green belt of Stourbridge remains under threat of development as it has been submitted in the call for sites’ as part of the Black Country Core Strategy Review.

“This process also threatens to take land out of green belt protection as part of the Green Belt Review which we fought earlier this year.

“Land lying either side of Racecourse Lane has been submitted with a suggested development of two schools and 500 houses.

“It is one of seven sites submitted which fall within the area currently designated green belt around Stourbridge.

“In total, more than 70 Ha (hectares) of currently-protected green belt land has been put forward for development in the Stourbridge area.

“Save Stourbridge Green belt are totally opposed to any development of this land, which is important to local people as a place of recreation and enjoyment, as well as providing a habitat for threatened wildlife.”